Illuminata (1998)

It's the start of the 20th century, and Tuccio, resident playwright of a theatre repertory company offers the owners of the company his new play, "Illuminata". They reject it, saying it's ... See full summary »

Director:

John Turturro

Writers:

Brandon Cole (play), Brandon Cole (screenplay)

Stars:

Leo Bassi, Henri Behar, Maurizio Benazzo

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leo Bassi	...	Beppo
Henri Behar	...	Pitou
Maurizio Benazzo	...	Passerby
Fernando Bolles	...	Boy #2
Katherine Borowitz	...	Rachel
Jeff Braun	...	Duke
David Cale	...	Journalist
Georgina Cates	...	Simone
Kenny Cranna	...	Scruffy man
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Astergourd
George DiCenzo	...	Jailor
Timothy Doyle	...	Aristocrat #1 (as Timothy Doyle)
Ben Gazzara	...	Old Flavio
Alexander Goodwin	...	Crying boy
Amo Gulinello	...	Pupo

Storyline

It's the start of the 20th century, and Tuccio, resident playwright of a theatre repertory company offers the owners of the company his new play, "Illuminata". They reject it, saying it's not finished, and intrigue starts that involves influential critic Bevalaqua, theatre star Celimene, young lead actors and other theatre residents.

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Plot Keywords:

playwright | critic | gay | new york | new york city | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, nudity and language

Details

Country:

Spain USA Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1999 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Häivähdys paratiisista

Filming Locations:

Jersey City, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$53,264, 8 August 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$836,641, 14 November 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

CDI,GreeneStreet Films,JVC Entertainment Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cinematographer Harris Savides (1957-2012) has an uncredited part as a theatre patron who walks up to John Turturro's character Tuccio, the resident playwright of the theatre, and says to him: "Did you see the play? I hated it.".

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Quotes

Bevalaqua: He was so young and so untalented.

User Reviews

The Play's the Thing...

This film shines from the loving direction that Tuturro lavishes upon Brandon Cole's screenplay. The entire cast is delightful, with Katherine Borowitz's loving and tormented Rachel and Christopher Walken's sexually aggressive Bevalaqua truly standing out. It was great to see a film about the theatre done so passionately, after the dull and trite "Shakespeare in Love".

I was mesmerized by the performances. Tuturro, Borowitz and Sewell moved so seamlessly in and out of characters that you often felt that you were in "Illuminata".

This film reminded me with an equally remarkable film, Louis Malle's "Vanya on 42nd Street". I'm going to have fire up the laser disc player on that one tonight.

If you are a fan of the theatre or works on the theatre, then "Illuminata" is certainly going to work its magic on you.